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Lesson For Ugandans On How To Check For Breast Cancer

this http://conversionxl.com/wp-includes/feed-rdf.php geneva;”>This can be attributed to lack of awareness, myths and stigma associated with cancer in general.

Below we explain how we can all teach fellow Ugandans, ie men, women our children to do self breast examinations at home.

Step 1:

Look at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

Look for:

Breasts that are their usual size, shape and color

Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling

If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor’s attention:

Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin

A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)

Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

Step 2:

Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes as in Step 1.

Step 3:

While you’re at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).

Step 4:

Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion.

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast.

Step 5:

Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.

The best prevention is early detection, therefore every woman is advised to do self breast examination at least once a month, check the breasts for signs like lumps, skin dimpling, change in skin color, blood from the nipples or inverted nipples. These are the signs and symptoms women should not ignore but rather rush to hospital for further assistance.

Nsambya Hospital sponsored by the Italian Association for Solidarity Among People (AISPO) opened up a new well equipped Oncology Unit that offers affordable cancer screening services to people.

They have partnered with the Uganda Women Cancer Support Association (UWOCOSA) to create awareness about breast cancer in Uganda through community activations hoping that this will reduce the number of deaths caused by breast cancer in the country.